Drunken Man Almost Hit School Bus in North Haven: Police

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Police started receiving 911 calls about an erratic driver at 8 a.m. One person told authorities that she was driving north on Pool Road when she saw a silver Toyota veer into the southbound lane, so she followed the vehicle, police said.

North Haven police arrested a man accused of driving drunk on Tuesday morning, almost hitting a child at a bus stop and coming close to hitting a school bus head-on, police said.

Police started receiving 911 calls about an erratic driver at 8 a.m. One person told authorities that she was driving north on Pool Road when she saw a silver Toyota veer into the southbound lane, so she followed the vehicle, police said.

The driver, identified at Dennis Ohara, 48, of North Haven, swerved across the road, nearly hitting a child who was standing on the curb and waiting for a school bus, police said.

Ohara then pulled into the parking lot of Temple Pines Senior Housing, at 191 Pool Road, and hit a metal light pole, then fled south on Pool Road, drove on the wrong side of the road and nearly hit a school bus, head on, according to police.

Ohara then pulled into the parking lot of 334 Washington Avenue, where he hit a large air conditioning unit that was mounted on the ground, police said.

When officers arrived, Ohara tried to flee, but was pulled from his car before getting away, police said.
Ohara was arrested and charged with reckless driving, driving while intoxicated, evading responsibility and operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license.

He was held on a $2,500 bond and will appear in State Superior Court.

Police ask anyone who witnessed Ohara driving or the crashes to call the North Haven Police Department at 203-239-5321.